Drum unit, cartridge, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

To provide a process cartridge, a drum unit capable of receiving a driving force from the main assembly, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge. A cartridge is provided with a movable member having a driving force receiving portion. The movable member moves between an advanced position and a retracted position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image formingapparatus, a cartridge, a process cartridge, and a drum unit, forelectrophotographic image formation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the structure isknown in which elements such as a photosensitive drum and a developingroller as a rotatable member related to image formation are integratedas a cartridge, which can be dismountably mounted to a image formingapparatus main assembly (hereinafter, apparatus main assembly). Here, inorder to rotate the photosensitive drum in the cartridge, it ispreferable to transmit the driving force from the apparatus mainassembly. In this connection, the structure is known in which thecoupling member on the cartridge side is engaged with the drive forcetransmission portion such as the drive pin on the apparatus mainassembly side to transmit the drive force.

Here, in some image forming apparatus, the structure of is known inwhich the cartridge can be removed in a predetermined directionsubstantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitivedrum. In Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2008-233867 disclosesa structure in which a coupling member provided at the end of thephotosensitive drum is advanced and retracted in the rotation axisdirection of the photosensitive drum. By this, a coupling memberprovided on the cartridge engages with and disengages from the drive pinprovided in the apparatus main assembly. As a result, the rotationaldriving force of the apparatus main assembly is transmitted to thecartridge. The structure as described above is known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

An object of the present invention is to develop the above-mentionedprior art.

Means for Solving the Problem

A representative structure disclosed in the present application is aprocess cartridge comprising:

(1) a photosensitive drum;

(2) a frame rotatably supporting said photosensitive drum;

(3) a flange provided at an end portion of said photosensitive drum totransmit a driving force to said photosensitive drum; and

(4) a coupling member provided on said flange including (4-1) a movablemember provided with a driving force receiving portion configured toreceive the driving force, said movable member being movable relative tosaid flange between (a) an advanced position advanced away from saidphotosensitive member and (b) a retracted position retracted toward saidphotosensitive drum, and (4-2) a connecting member connected with saidflange so as to transmit the driving force from said movable member tosaid flange;

wherein said connecting member includes,

(4-2-1) a shaft portion extending along a moving direction of saidmovable member, and

(4-2-2) a restricting portion configured to restrict said movable memberso as to suppress disengagement, from said flange, of said movablemember placed in the position,

wherein said restricting portion receives the driving force from saidmovable member by engagement with said movable member.

Another representative structure disclosed in the present application isa process cartridge comprising:

(1) a photosensitive drum;

(2) a frame rotatably supporting said photosensitive drum;

(3) a flange provided at an end portion of said photosensitive drum; and

(4) a coupling member provided on said flange to receive a driving forcefor rotating said photosensitive drum, said coupling member including(4-1) a movable member provided with a driving force receiving portionconfigured to receive the driving force, said movable member beingmovable relative to said flange between (a) an advanced positionadvanced away from said photosensitive member and (b) a retractedposition retracted toward said photosensitive drum, and (4-2) aconnecting member connected with said flange so as to transmit thedriving force from said movable member to said flange;

wherein said connecting member includes,

(4-2-1) a shaft portion extending along a moving direction of saidmovable member, and

(4-2-2) an enlarged portion provided at the free end side of said shaftportion, said enlarged portion having a maximum rotation radius largerthan a maximum rotation radius of said shaft portion, said enlargedportion being capable of receiving the driving force from said movablemember by engagement with said movable member.

In addition, further representative structure disclosed in the presentapplication is a cartridge comprising:

(1) a rotatable member rotatable while carrying toner on a surfacethereof;

(2) a frame configured to rotatably support said rotatable member;

(3) a transmission member configured to transmit a driving force to saidrotatable member; and

(4) a coupling member provided on said transmission member, saidcoupling member including (4-1) a movable member provided with a drivingforce receiving portion configured to receive the driving force, saidmovable member being movable relative to said transmission memberbetween (a) an advanced position advanced toward outside of saidcartridge and (b) a retracted position retracted toward an inside ofsaid cartridge, and (4-2) a connecting member connected with saidtransmission member so as to transmit the driving force from saidmovable member to said transmission member;

wherein said connecting member includes,

(4-2-1) a shaft portion extending along a moving direction of saidmovable member, and

(4-2-2) an enlarged portion provided at the free end side of said shaftportion, said enlarged portion having a maximum rotation radius largerthan a maximum rotation radius of said shaft portion, said enlargedportion being capable of receiving the driving force from said movablemember by engagement with said movable member.

In addition, further representative arrangement disclosed in the presentapplication is a cartridge comprising:

(1) a rotatable member rotatable while carrying toner on a surfacethereof;

(2) a frame rotatably supporting said rotatable member;

(3) a transmission member configured to transmit a driving force to saidrotatable member; and

(4) a coupling member provided on said transmission member, saidcoupling member including (4-1) a movable member provided with a drivingforce receiving portion configured to receive the driving force, saidmovable member being movable relative to said transmission memberbetween (a) an advanced position advanced toward outside of saidcartridge and (b) a retracted position retracted toward an inside ofsaid cartridge, and (4-2) a connecting member connected with saidtransmission member so as to transmit the driving force from saidmovable member to said transmission member;

wherein said connecting member includes,

(4-2-1) a shaft portion extending along a moving direction of saidmovable member, and

(4-2-2) an enlarged portion provided at the free end side of said shaftportion, said enlarged portion having a maximum rotation radius largerthan a maximum rotation radius of said shaft portion, said enlargedportion being capable of receiving the driving force from said movablemember by engagement with said movable member.

In addition, further representative arrangement disclosed in the presentapplication is a drum unit comprising:

(1) a photosensitive drum;

(2) the flange provided at an end portion of said photosensitive drum totransmit a driving force to said photosensitive drum; and

(3) a coupling member provided on said flange including (3-1) a movablemember provided with a driving force receiving portion configured toreceive the driving force, said movable member being movable relative tosaid flange between (a) an advanced position advanced away from saidphotosensitive member and (b) a retracted position retracted toward aninside of said photosensitive drum, and (3-2) a connecting memberconnected with said flange so as to transmit the driving force from saidmovable member to said flange;

wherein said connecting member includes,

(3-2-1) a shaft portion extending along a moving direction of saidmovable member, and

(3-2-2) a restricting portion configured to restrict said movable memberso as to suppress disengagement, from said flange, of said movablemember placed in the position,

wherein said restricting portion receives said driving force from saidmovable member by engagement with said movable member.

In addition, the representative structure disclosed in the presentapplication is a drum unit comprising:

(1) a photosensitive drum;

(2) the flange provided at an end portion of said photosensitive drum totransmit a driving force to said photosensitive drum; and

(3) a coupling member provided on said flange including (3-1) a movablemember provided with a driving force receiving portion configured toreceive the driving force, said movable member being movable relative tosaid flange between (a) an advanced position advanced away from saidphotosensitive member and (b) a retracted position retracted toward aninside of said photosensitive drum, and (3-2) a connecting memberconnected with said flange so as to transmit the driving force from saidmovable member to said flange,

wherein said connecting member includes,

(3-2-1) a shaft portion extending along a moving direction of saidmovable member, and

(3-2-2) a enlarged portion provided at the free end side of said shaftportion, said enlarged portion having a maximum rotation radius largerthan a maximum rotation radius of said shaft portion, said enlargedportion being capable of receiving the driving force from said movablemember by engagement with said movable member,

wherein said enlarged portion receives the driving force from saidmovable member by engagement with said movable member.

In addition, another representative arrangement disclosed in the presentapplication is a drum unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of anelectrophotographic image forming apparatus, said drum unit comprising:

a photosensitive drum;

a flange provided at an end portion of said photosensitive drum totransmit a driving force to said photosensitive drum;

a movable member having a free end portion provided with a driving forcereceiving portion configured to receive the driving force from the mainassembly, and a small diameter portion at a position closer to saidflange than the free end portion, the small diameter portion having amaximum rotation radius smaller than a maximum rotation radius of thefree end portion, the movable member being movable relative to saidflange between a transmitting position in which the driving force iscapable of being transmitted to said flange and a non-transmittingposition in which the driving force is not transmitted to said flange,and

a regulated portion which is restricted to restrict movement of saidmovable member in a direction away from said flange is provided and atleast a part of said free end portion and said small diameter portion ofsaid movable member.

In addition, further representative arrangement disclosed in the presentapplication is a drum unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of anelectrophotographic image forming apparatus, said drum unit comprising:

a photosensitive drum;

a shaft provided at an end of said photosensitive drum and configured totransmit a driving force to said photosensitive drum;

a movable member configured to receive a driving force and transmit thedriving force to said shaft, said movable member being movable relativeto said shaft between a transmitting position in which the driving forceis capable of being transmitted to said shaft and a non-transmittingposition in which the driving force is not transmitted to said shaft;

a first urging member to urge said movable member in a direction fromthe non-transmitting position toward the transmitting position; and

a second urging member configured to urge said movable member in adirection from the transmitting position toward the non-transmittingposition.

Effect of the Invention

The prior art described above can be developed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the cartridge is disassembled.

In FIG. 4 , part (a) and part (b) are illustrations for explaining howthe cartridge is mounted and dismounted.

In FIG. 5 , part (a) is a perspective view of the cartridge, and part(b) is a perspective view illustrating the internal mechanism of thecartridge.

In FIG. 6 , part (a) and part (b) are perspective views illustrating theoperation of the cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the coupling unit.

In FIG. 8 , part (a) and part (b) are side views illustrating theoperation when the opening and closing door of the image formingapparatus is opened and closed.

In FIG. 9 , part (a) and part (b) are perspective views illustrating theinternal mechanism of the coupling unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the internal mechanism of thecoupling unit.

In FIG. 11 , part (a) and part (b) are perspective views illustratingthe coupling structure.

In FIG. 12 , part (a) and part (b) are illustrations of the coupling.

In FIG. 13 , part (a) and part (b) are illustrations of the coupling.

In FIG. 14 , part (a) and part (b) are perspective views illustratingthe internal mechanism of the coupling unit.

In FIG. 15 , part (a) and part (b) are perspective views illustratingthe internal mechanism of the coupling unit.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the support structure of thecoupling unit.

In FIG. 17 , part (a) and part (b) are cross-sectional viewsillustrating the internal mechanism of the coupling unit.

In FIG. 18 , part (a) and part (b) are enlarged views of FIG. 17 .

In FIG. 19 , part (a), part (b) and part (c) are illustrations of thecartridge operation.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the relationship between thecoupling and the driving shaft of the apparatus main assembly.

In FIG. 21 , part (a)-Part (f) is an illustration for explaining how thecartridge is dismounted.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Here, an image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus for forming anelectrophotographic image) employing an electrophotographic method iscalled an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Here, theelectrophotographic method refers to a method of developing anelectrostatic image formed on a photosensitive member with toner. Here,the electrophotographic method refers to a method of developing, withtoner, an electrostatic image formed on a photosensitive member. Here,the developing method may be any of a one-component developing method, atwo-component developing method, and a dry development method. Inaddition, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum(electrophotographic photosensitive drum) is usable with anelectrophotographic image forming apparatus, and it means a structure inwhich a photosensitive member (photosensitive layer) is provided on thesurface of a drum-shaped cylinder.

Here, a charging roller, a developing roller, and so on involved inimage formation and acting on the photosensitive drum are called processmeans. In addition, a cartridge including a photosensitive member orprocess means (cleaning blade, developing roller, and so on) involved inimage formation is called a process cartridge. In this embodiment, aprocess cartridge with which the photosensitive drum, the chargingroller, the developing roller, the cleaning blade are integrated will bedescribed as an example.

In the embodiment, among the electrophotographic methods usable with awide range of applications such as multifunction machines, fax machines,and printers, take a laser beam printer will be taken as a example.Here, the reference numerals in the embodiments are for referring to thedrawings and do not limit the structure. In addition, the dimensions andthe like in Embodiments are for the purpose of clearly describing therelationship, and do not limit the structure.

A longitudinal direction of the process cartridge in the embodiments isa direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which theprocess cartridge is mounted to and dismounted from theelectrophotographic image forming apparatus main assembly. In addition,the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is parallel to therotation axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (in thedirection crossing with the sheet feeding direction). In thelongitudinal direction, the side of the process cartridge where thephotosensitive drum receives rotational force from the image formingapparatus main assembly is called a driving side (driven side), and theopposite side is called non-driving side. In addition, in the case wherethe description is made as upper (upper) without specifying otherwise,it means an upper side in the direction of gravity, and the oppositeside means a lower side in the direction of gravity (the lower side) atthe time when the image forming device is loaded in the image formingapparatus.

Embodiment 1

In the following, the laser beam printer in this embodiment will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. The cartridge inthis embodiment is a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum asa photosensitive member (image bearing member, rotary member), adeveloping roller, a charging roller, and a cleaning blade as processmeans are integrated. This cartridge is mountable to and dismountablefrom the main assembly. Here, in the cartridge, as a rotatable memberrotary member which rotates by receiving rotational force from theapparatus main assembly, a gear, a photosensitive drum, a flange, adeveloping roller, and so on are provided.

In the following, referring to FIG. 1 , the structure of laser beamprinter as electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and imageforming process will be explained. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , adetailed structure of process cartridge will be explained.

Laser Beam Printer and Image Forming Process

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a laser beam printer main assembly A(hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus main assembly A) and a processcartridge (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge B) which constitutethe electrophotographic image forming apparatuses. In addition, FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B.

Hereinafter, the apparatus main assembly A means a portion of the laserbeam printer which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus,excluding the removable cartridge B.

First, referring to FIG. 1 , the structure of the laser beam printerwhich is the electrophotographic image forming apparatus will bedescribed.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is alaser beam printer using electrophotographic technology in which thecartridge B is capable of being mounted to and dismounted from theapparatus main assembly A (mountable and dismountable). When thecartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main assembly A, the cartridge Bis disposed below a laser scanner unit 3 as an exposure means (exposuredevice).

In addition, below the cartridge B, there is disposed a sheet tray 4containing sheets P as recording materials (sheet materials) which areobjects on which the image forming apparatus forms images.

Furthermore, in the apparatus main assembly A, a pickup roller 5 a, afeeding roller pair 5 b, a feeding roller pair 5 c, a transfer guide 6,a transfer roller 7, a feed guide 8, a fixing device 9, a dischargeroller pair 10, and a discharge tray 11 are provided along theconveyance direction X1 of the sheet P, in the order from the upstreamside. Here, the fixing device 9 as a fixing means includes a heatingroller 9 a and a pressure roller 9 b.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , ac outline of the image formationprocess will be described.

In response to a print start signal, a drum cylinder 62 as aphotosensitive drum which can carry a developer is rotationally drivenat a predetermined circumferential speed (process speed) in a directionof an arrow R (hereinafter referred to as a rotational direction R).

The charging roller 66 to which a bias voltage is applied contacts anouter peripheral surface of the drum cylinder 62, and uniformly chargesthe outer peripheral surface of the drum cylinder 62.

The laser scanner unit 3 as an exposure means outputs a laser beam L inaccordance with an image information inputted to the laser printer. Thelaser beam L passes through an exposure window 74 on the upper surfaceof the cartridge B and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface ofthe drum cylinder 62. By this, a portion of the charged drum cylinder 62is electrically discharged to form an electrostatic image (electrostaticlatent image) on the surface of the drum cylinder.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 , in the developing unit 20 as thedeveloping device, the developer in a toner chamber 29 (hereinafterreferred to as “toner T”) is stirred and transported by rotation of thefeeding sheet 43 as a feed member, and it is delivered into the tonersupply chamber 28.

The toner T as the developer is carried on the surface of the developingroller 32 as the developing means (process means, rotatable member), bythe magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (stationary magnet). Here,the developing roller 32 functions as a toner carrier (developercarrier, developing member) for carrying and transporting the developerto the developing zone to develop the electrostatic image formed on thedrum cylinder 62. A layer thickness of the toner T fed to the developingregion on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 32 isregulated by the developing blade 42. Here, the toner T istriboelectrically charged between the developing roller 32 and thedeveloping blade 42.

As described above, the toner T carried on the developing roller 32develops (visualizes) the electrostatic image formed on the drumcylinder 62. And, the drum cylinder 62 is a rotatable member whichcarries the toner image (image by toner) developed by the developingroller 32 on its surface and rotates in the rotational direction R. Inaddition, the drum cylinder 62 is an image bearing member which carriesa toner image.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , in timed relationship with an outputtiming of the laser beam L, the sheet P stored in the lower portion ofthe apparatus main assembly A is fed from the sheet tray 4 by the pickuproller 5 a, the feeding roller pair 5 b, and the feeding roller pair 5c.

And, the sheet P is supplied to the transfer position (transfer nip)between the drum cylinder 62 and the transfer roller 7 by way of thetransfer guide 6. At this transfer position, the toner image issequentially transferred from the drum cylinder 62 as image bearingmember to the sheet P as the recording material.

The sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred is separatedfrom the drum cylinder 62 and fed to the fixing device 9 along the feedguide 8. And, the sheet P passes through a fixing nip portion betweenthe heating roller 9 a and the pressure roller 9 b which constitute thefixing device 9. In the fixing nip portion, the unfixed toner image onthe sheet P is fixed to the sheet P by being pressed and heated.Thereafter, the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is fed by thedischarge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 , after the toner T is transferredonto the sheet, untransferred residual toner remaining on the drumsurface without being transferred onto the sheet is deposited on thesurface of the drum cylinder 62. The untransferred residual toner isremoved by the cleaning blade 77 which is in contact with thecircumferential surface of the drum cylinder 62. By this, the tonerremaining on the drum cylinder 62 is removed, so that the cleaned drumcylinder 62 may be again charged and used for the imaging process. Thetoner (untransferred residual toner) removed from the drum cylinder 62is stored in a waste toner chamber 71 b of the cleaning unit 60.

Here, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, and the cleaningblade 77 all function as the process means which act on the drumcylinder 62. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment employs themethod of removing the untransferred residual toner by the cleaningblade 77, but a system (cleanerless system) may be employed in which theuntransferred residual toner which is adjusted in the electric charge iscollected by the developing device simultaneously with development.Here, in the cleanerless system, an auxiliary charging member (such asan auxiliary charging brush) for adjusting the charge of theuntransferred residual toner also functions as the process means.

Structure of the Process Cartridge

Next, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , detailed structure of thecartridge B will be described.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge B. The cartridgeB includes a frame (casing) that rotatably supports the drum cylinder 62and the developing roller 32. The frame of cartridge B can bedisassembled into multiple units. The cartridge B of this embodiment isan integrated unit of the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20,and the cartridge B includes a frame of the cleaning unit 60 and a frameof the developing unit 20.

In this embodiment, the description will be main using a structure inwhich the cleaning unit 60 supporting the drum cylinder 62 and thedeveloping unit 20 supporting the developing roller 32 are connected bytwo connecting pins 75, but the cartridge B may be divided into three ormore units. A plurality of units may not be coupled by a coupling membersuch as a pin, and only a portion of the units may be replaced.

The cleaning unit 60 includes a cleaning frame 71, a drum unit U1, thecharging roller 66, the cleaning blade 77 and the like.

The drum unit U1 includes a drum cylinder unit U2 and a coupling unit U3provided at the driving side end of the drum cylinder unit U2. In thedrum cylinder unit U2, the drum cylinder 62 and the non-driving sideflange are coupled together. The coupling unit U3 is for receiving arotational force for rotating the drum unit U1 from the outside of thedrum unit U1. The coupling unit U3 includes a driving side flange 87 asa flange member and a moving coupling member (moving member, advancingretracting member, engaging member) 86. The driving side flange 87 ismounted to the driving side of the drum cylinder 62. The coupling unitU3 is mounted to the drum cylinder 62.

The moving member 86 receives rotational driving force from theapparatus main assembly A. The moving member 86 drives the driving sideflange 87. The driving side flange 87 drives the drum cylinder 62.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the drum cylinder 62 is rotatable about a rotationaxis L1 (hereinafter, referred to as an axis L1). In addition, themoving member 86 is rotatable about a rotation axis L2 (hereinafterreferred to as an axis L2). Here, in this embodiment, a moving member 86is connected to the end of the drum cylinder 62, and the axis L1 of thedrum cylinder 62 and the axis L2 of the moving member 86 aresubstantially coaxial. Therefore, in the following description, the axisL1 and the axis L2 may be referred to as one and the same.

In addition, in the direction of the axis L2, the direction toward thedriving side is referred to as a longitudinally outer side LO, and adirection toward the non-driving side as a longitudinally inner side L1.

Here, the moving member 86 is constituted so as to be able to advanceand retract along the axis L2 relative to the drum cylinder 62 and thedriving side flange 87. In other words, the moving member 86 is movablesubstantially parallel at least to the direction (axial direction) inwhich the axis (L2) extends. The moving member 86 can take a position(projected position, advanced position, first position) advanced(projected) toward the outside of driving side flange 87 and a positionretracted toward the inside (drum cylinder side) of driving side flange87 retracted position, second position). That is, the moving member 86can reciprocate along the axial direction between the projected positionand the retracted position (parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the drumcylinder 62). That is, the moving member 86 can reciprocate along theaxial direction between the projected position and the retractedposition (parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the drum cylinder 62).Details will be described hereinafter.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the developing unit 20includes a toner accommodating container 22, a bottom member 21, a firstside member 26L (non-driving side), a second side member 26R (drivingside), the developing blade 42, the developing roller 32, and the magnetroller 34. Here, in the toner container 22, a feeding sheet 43 (stirringsheet) as a feeding member for feeding the toner is provided, and atoner T as a developer is contained therein. In addition, the developingunit 20 is provided with a compression spring 46 which applies an urgingforce in order to regulate the attitude of the unit between thedeveloping unit 20 and the cleaning unit 60. Furthermore, the cleaningunit 60 and the developing unit 20 are rotatably connected to each otherby a connecting pin 75 as a connecting member, so that the cartridge Bis constituted.

More specifically, rotation holes 23 bL, 23 bR are provided at ends ofarm portions 23 aL and 23 aR provided on opposite ends of the developingunit 20, respectively in the longitudinal direction (axial direction ofthe developing roller 32). The rotation holes 23 bL and 23 bR areparallel to the axis of the developing roller 32.

In addition, in each of the opposite longitudinal opposite end portionsof the cleaning frame 71 which is a frame on the cleaning unit 60 side,insertion holes 71 a for inserting the connection pins 75 are formed.And, while aligning the arm portions 23 aL and 23 aR with thepredetermined position of the cleaning frame 71, the connecting pin 75is inserted into the rotation holes 23 bL and 23 bR and the insertionhole 71 a. By this, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 arerotatably coupled to each other about the connecting pin 75 as theconnecting member.

At this time, a compression spring 46 mounted to the root of the armportions 23 aL and 23 aR abuts to the cleaning frame 71 and urges thedeveloping unit 20 to the cleaning unit 60 about the connecting pin 75as the center of rotation.

By this, the developing roller 32 as a process means is reliably pressedin the direction of the drum cylinder 62 as the rotatable member. And,by ring-shaped spacers (not shown) mounted at the opposite ends of thedeveloping roller 32 the developing roller 32 maintains a predeterminedgap with respect to the drum cylinder 62.

Mounting and Dismounting of Process Cartridge

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the operation of mounting anddismounting the cartridge B relative to the apparatus main assembly A inthe above structure will be described.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of how the cartridge B is mounted to anddismounted from the main assembly A of the apparatus. Part (a) of FIG. 4is a perspective view as seen from the non-driving side, and part (b) ofFIG. 4 is a perspective view as seen from the driving side. Here, thedriving side refers to the longitudinal end portion of the cartridge Bprovided with the moving member 86.

An opening/closing door 13 is rotatably provided on the apparatus mainassembly A. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the apparatus main assembly Ain a state in which the opening/closing door 13 is opened.

The apparatus main assembly A is provided with an opening O1, and theinside of the apparatus main assembly A is provided with a mountingspace for the cartridge B. The inside of the apparatus main assembly Ais provided with a driving shaft 110 (drive transmission member) and aguide member 12 as a guide mechanism.

Here, the driving shaft 110 is provided on the apparatus main assembly Aside, and is a drive transmission mechanism on the main assembly sidewhich transmits the driving force to the cartridge B mounted in theapparatus main assembly A, and it engages with the moving member 86 ofthe cartridge B. By the driving shaft 110 rotating after engagement therotational force can be transmitted to the cartridge B. Here, thedriving shaft 110 is supported by the apparatus main assembly A so as tobe rotatable about an axis L4. In addition, the driving shaft 110includes a drive application portion 110 b as an application unit thatapplies the rotational force (FIG. 20 ).

In addition, the guide member 12 as a guide mechanism is a main assemblyside guide member for guiding the cartridge B into the apparatus mainassembly A. The guide member 12 may be a plate-like member provided witha guide groove. In addition, the structure may be such that the upperend of the guide member 12 brought into contact with the lower surfaceof the cartridge B to guide the mounting and dismounting of thecartridge B while supporting the cartridge B at the lower side.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge B according to theembodiment of the present invention.

Part (a) of FIG. 5 is a general arrangement of the cartridge B. Part (b)of FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a mechanism for operating the movingmember 86.

In part (a) of FIG. 5 , the cartridge B includes the developing unit 20and the cleaning unit 60. The cleaning unit 60 includes a cleaning frame71. The following are disposed on the side surface of the cleaning frame71. They are a coupling unit U3 including a moving member 86, a bearing100 rotatably supporting the drum unit U1, and a restricting member 101fixed to the bearing 100 to restrict movement of the coupling unit U3 tothe longitudinally outer side LO.

The developing unit 20 includes a toner storage frame 22 containingtoner therein.

The developing unit 20 includes a toner storage frame 22 containingtoner therein. The second side member 26R is provided on the sidesurface of the toner storage frame 22. A first lever 102 and a cover 105are provided on the side surface of the second side member 26R.

Part (b) of FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view at the time when therestricting member 101 and the cover 105 are removed. The restrictingmember 101 is fixed to the bearing 100 with a screw 107. The end surface101 a of the restricting member 101 is capable of being in contact withthe end surface 92 a of a rotation cam 92 which will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 9 , and it regulates the movement ofthe rotary cam 92 to the longitudinally outer side LO.

The second side member 26R is provided on the side surface with aprojection 26R1, a projection 26R2, and a projection 26R3. The firstlever 102, the second lever 103, a gear 104, the cover 105, a spring 106as an urging member or an elastic member, and a screw 108 are mounted tothe second side member 26R.

Referring to part (b) of FIG. 5 , part (a) of FIG. 6 , and part (b) ofFIG. 6 , the mechanism for operating the moving member 86 will befurther described.

Part (a) of FIG. 6 shows a state in which the moving member 86 isretracted toward the longitudinally inner side LI (a retracted positionor a driving force non-transmission position).

Part (b) of FIG. 6 shows a state in which the moving member 86 projectstoward the longitudinally outer side LO (advanced position, projectingposition or driving force transmitting position).

The first lever 102 has a groove 102 a, a rack 102 b in which gear teethare formed, and an end surface 102 c. The groove 102 a of the firstlever 102 is slidably supported by the projection 26R2 of the secondside member 26R.

The second lever 103 has a groove 103 a, a rack 103 b in which gearteeth are formed, an end surface 103 c, and a cylindrical portion 103 d(also part (b) in FIG. 5 ). The groove 103 a of the second lever 103 isslidably supported by the projection 26R3 of the second side member 26R.

The gear 104 is rotatably supported by the projection 26R1 of the secondside member 26R. The gear 104 is in meshing engagement with the rack 102b of the first lever 102 and the rack 103 b of the second lever 103.

The spring 106 is provided between the end surface 26R4 of the secondside member 26R and the end surface 103 c of the second lever 103. Thespring 106 as an urging member or an elastic member urges the secondlever 103 in the direction to move it toward the cleaning unit 60 side.In this embodiment, the spring 106 is a compression spring. Therefore,the spring 106 functions to move the second lever 103 toward thecleaning unit 60 side. As a result, with the cartridge B removed fromthe apparatus main assembly A, the first lever 102 and the second lever103 are positioned in the state shown in part (a) of FIG. 6 .

The cylindrical portion 103 d of the second lever 103 engages with theengaging portion 92 f of the rotation cam 92 described hereinafter withreference to Figure. Therefore, the structure is such that the rotatingcam 92 rotates with the movement of the second lever 103.

As shown in part (b) of FIG. 6 , when the end surface 102 c of the firstlever 102 is pushed toward the cleaning unit 60 side, the first lever102, the gear 104, the second lever 103, and the rotating cam 92 movesuch that the moving member 86 projects towards the longitudinal outerLO.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the coupling unit U3 and the bearing 100.

In FIG. 7 , the bearing 100 accommodates and supports the coupling unitU3. That is, the bearing 100 rotatably supports the drum cylinder by wayof a coupling unit U3 (driving side drum flange 87). The bearing 100 isprovided with a projection 100 a and a projection 100 b around themoving member 86. The projection 100 a and the projection 100 b are usedfor positioning with respect to the apparatus main assembly A.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the operation for advancing and retractingthe moving member 86. FIG. 8 shows the cartridge B and theopening/closing door 13 of the apparatus main assembly A. Theopening/closing door 13 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 13 a. Inaddition, the opening/closing door 13 has an engaging portion 13 b whichengages with the first lever 102.

Part (a) of FIG. 8 shows the state, in which the cartridge B is insertedinto the apparatus main assembly A by the user, and is held by the guidemember 12 or the like of the apparatus main assembly A described above.In part (a) of FIG. 8 , the opening/closing door 13 of the apparatusmain assembly A is in an open state.

Part (b) of FIG. 8 shows a state in which the opening/closing door 13 isclosed. The opening/closing door 13 rotates in the direction approachingto the cartridge B about the rotation shaft 13 a. In the process of thedoor 13 being closed, the end surface 102 c of the first lever 102 ofthe cartridge B is pressed by the engaging portion 13 b of theopening/closing door 13 of the apparatus main assembly A. By the firstlever 102 being pressed, the moving member 86 projects toward thelongitudinally outer side LO.

Subsequently, referring to FIG. 9 , a internal structure of the couplingunit U3 for receiving a rotational force from the driving shaft 110 ofthe apparatus main assembly A will be described. Part (a) and (b) ofFIG. 9 are exploded perspective views of the coupling unit U3. Thelongitudinally outer side is referred to as LO, and the longitudinallyinner side is referred to as LI.

The coupling unit U3 includes a coupling shaft 90, a coupling spring 91,the moving member 86, the rotating cam 92, a linear motion cam 93, alinear motion cam pressing spring 95, the driving side flange 87, atorsion spring 94, and a fixing screw 96. Details will be describedhereinafter, but the coupling shaft 90 and the moving member (movingcoupling member 86) are collectively referred to as the coupling member.

The coupling shaft 90 is provided on the driving side flange 87. In thisexample, the coupling shaft 90 is fixed to the driving side flange 87using a fixing screw 96. In this example, the coupling shaft 90 isprovided coaxially with the rotation axis L1 of the drum cylinder 62. Indetail, the fixing screw 96 passes through the hole 87 a of the drivingside flange 87, is inserted into the hole 90 a 1 of the coupling shaft90, and is fixed by a screw. The coupling shaft 90 has a free endportion 90 b as a restricting portion (retaining portion) at thelongitudinally outer side LO (longitudinal outer end portion) and ashaft portion (column portion) 90 a at the longitudinally inner side LI.The free end portion 90 b has a relatively large diameter as comparedwith the shaft portion 90 a. The longitudinal inner LI of the free endportion 90 b it has an engaging portion 90 b 1 as a drive transmissionportion consisting of a plurality of irregularities. The longitudinalinner LI of the free end portion 90 b is provided with an engagingportion 90 b 1 as a drive transmission portion consisting of a pluralityof recesses and projections. The radially inner side of the engagingportion 90 b 1 has an end surface 90 b 2 (an enlarged view is shown inFIG. 10 ).

The moving member 86 has a projection 86 a (driving force receivingportion) that projects toward the longitudinally outer side LO in thedirection of the rotation axis L2. In this embodiment, the moving member86 is provided with two projections 86 a. The two projections 86 a aredisposed at positions symmetrical to each other with respect to the axisL2. The projection 86 a projects from the base 86 b. A shaft 86 s, ashaft 86 d, and an approximately oval cylinder 86 e are connected inthis order from the base 86 b to the longitudinally inner side, the LI.The moving member 86 is provided with a through hole 86 c and a engagingportion 86 f as a driving force transmitting portion having a pluralityof recesses and projections, concentrically with the rotation axis L2.

The engaging portion 86 f (shown in a enlarged view in part (a) of FIG.11 ) is radially inward of the base 86 b and adjacent to thelongitudinally outer side LO of the through hole 86 c. The couplingshaft 90 is inserted into the through hole 86 c of the moving member 86.In other words, the coupling shaft 90 b passes through the moving member86 (small diameter portion 86 y). The coupling spring 91 is mountedaround the shaft portion 90 a of the coupling shaft 90, and is providedbetween an end surface 90 b 2 of the free end portion 90 b as arestricting portion of the coupling shaft 90 and the moving member 86.In other words, the coupling spring 91 is disposed at the free end 86 xof the moving member 86. Here, the coupling spring 91 may be provided onat least a portion of the free end 86 x and the small diameter portion86 y of the moving member 86. However, providing it at the free end 86 xcan afford more latitude in the design of the coupling spring 91. Thestructure is such that the engaging portion 90 b 1 as a driving forcereceiving portion of the coupling shaft 90 and the engaging portion 86 fas a driving force transmitting portion of the moving member 86 can beengaged and disengaged with each other. By this, a driving force istransmitted or blocked between the moving member 86 and the couplingshaft 90.

Here, the engaging portion 90 b 1 functions as a regulating portion, andthe engaging portion 86 f functions as a regulated portion. By contactbetween the regulating portion (engaging portion 90 b 1) and theregulated portion (engaging portion 86 f), the coupling shaft 90 canregulate the movement of the moving member 86. That is, the movement ofthe moving member 86 away from the driving side flange 87 (or the drumcylinder 62) can be restricted.

In this embodiment, the engaging portion 86 f functions both as a drivetransmission portion and as a regulated portion, the engaging portion 90b 1 Functions both as a driving force receiving portion and as aregulating portion. However, it is possible to separate these functions.Here, the combination of the functions as in this embodiment is superiorto the structure not combining the functions in terms of downsizing andrigidity. Here, the engaging portion 86 f of this embodiment is disposedoutside the small diameter portion 86 y in the rotational radiusdirection of the moving member 86.

In this embodiment, the engaging portion 86 f is provided at the freeend 86 x of the moving member 86. However, the engaging portion 86 f maybe provided across the free end 86 x of the moving member 86 and aconnecting portion 86 y, or may be provided only at the connectingportion 86 y of the moving member 86. That is, the engaging portion 86 fmay be provided on at least a part of the free end 86 x of the movingmember 86 and the connecting portion 86 y. However, providing theengaging portion 86 f only at the free end 86 x of the moving member 86improves the design latitude and the reliability of the drivetransmission and now-transmission.

The rotating cam 92 is provided so as to surround the moving member 86.The longitudinally outer side LO of the rotating cam 92 has an endsurface 92 a. The longitudinally inner side LI of the rotating cam 92has the end surface 92 b provided with a cam 92 e, and a cylindricalportion 92 c provided with a through hole 92 d at the center.

The linear motion cam 93 has a cylindrical portion 93 a, a hole 93 j, aouter end surface 93 b, a hole 93 c, a cam 93 d, a hole 93 e, a shaft 93f, a inner end surface 93 g, a wall 93 h, and a hole 93 i. A hole 93 jis provided at the center of the cylindrical portion 93 a. The cam 93 dprojects from the outer end surface 93 b to the longitudinally outerside LO. A hole 93 c is disposed around the cylindrical portion 93 a.The holes 93 e are provided at least in the outer end surface 93 b. Thehole 93 e may be a through hole. The shaft 93 f and the wall 93 h aredisposed so as to project from the inner end surface 93 g toward thelongitudinal inner LI side. The hole 93 i is provided in thelongitudinally inner side LI of the linear motion cam 93. The shaftportion 90 a of the coupling shaft 90 is accommodated in the hole 93 i.

The shaft 86 d of the moving member 86 is accommodated in the hole 93 j.The cylindrical portion 92 c of the rotating cam 92 is accommodated inthe hole 93 c. The structure is such that the cam 93 d of the linearmotion cam 93 and the end surface 92 b including the inclined surface 92e of the rotation cam 92 abut to each other.

The torsion spring 94 has a hole 94 a, an arm 94 b and an arm 94 c. Byfitting the hole 94 a of the torsion spring 94 around the shaft 93 f,the torsion spring 94 is held by the shaft 93 f. The arm 94 c abuts onthe radially inner surface of the wall 93 h provided on the linearmotion cam 93. The arm 94 b abuts to the approximately oval cylinder 86e provided on the moving member 86.

In this embodiment, two cams 93 d, two holes 93 e, two shafts 93 f, andtwo walls 93 h are provided.

The driving side flange 87 has a hole 87 a in the longitudinally innerside LI. The driving side flange 87 has a gear portion 87 b, a hole 87c, and a end surface 87 d at the longitudinally outer side LO.

The linear motion cam pressing spring 95 as the urging member or theelastic member is accommodated in the hole 87 c of the driving sideflange 87. The linear motion cam pressing spring 95 abuts to the endsurface 87 d of the driving side flange 87 at the longitudinally innerside LI, and abuts to the end surface 93 g of the linear motion cam 93at the longitudinally outer side LO.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupling shaft 90 and thecoupling spring 91 as the urging member or elastic member. It is aFigure for explaining the free end portion 90 b as a regulation portionof coupling shaft 90.

The engaging portion 90 b 1 as the driving force receiving portion(intermediate driving force receiving portion, engaging portion)including a plurality of recesses and projections is provided at thefree end portion 90 b as the regulated portion of the coupling shaft 90.In addition, the coupling shaft 90 has a shaft portion 90 a on thelongitudinally inner side LI of the free end portion 90 b. An arbitraryprojection of the free end portion 90 b has a surface 90 b 3 on one sidein the circumferential direction and a surface 90 b 4 on the oppositeside in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the surface90 b 3 is a drive transmission surface (shaft side driving forcereceiving portion or flange side driving force receiving portion).

The coupling spring 91 is provided around the shaft portion 90 a. An endsurface 91 a of the coupling spring 91 abuts to the end surface 90 b 2of the free end portion 90 b, in the assembled state.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 , the moving member 86 will bedescribed. FIG. 11 is a enlarged perspective view, part (a) of FIG. 12is a view seen from the side of the projection 86 a, and part (b) ofFIG. 12 is an A-A cross-section of part (a) of FIG. 12 , Part 13 (a) isa side view, and part (b) of FIG. 13 is a view as seen from the side ofthe cylinder 86 e.

The moving member 86 has two projections 86 a. The projection 86 a has asurface 86 g as a driving force receiving portion on one end side in thecircumferential direction and a surface 86 t on the other end side inthe circumferential direction. It is preferable that the surface 86 gand the surface 86 t a slanted. A free end surface 86 i is provided atthe free end of the projection 86 a.

In addition, the moving member 86 has a engaging portion 86 f as adriving force transmitting portion provided with a plurality of recessesand projections. A projection of the engaging portion 86 f has a surface86 j on one side in the circumferential direction and a surface 86 k onthe opposite side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment,the surface 86 j is a drive transmission surface (drive powertransmission portion). When the coupling shaft 90 and the moving member86 are in the drive transmission state, a surface 90 b 3 as the drivingforce receiving portion of the coupling shaft 90 and the surface 86 j asthe driving force transmitting portion of the moving member 86 contacteach other, so that the moving member 86 transmits the driving force tothe coupling shaft 90. The moving member 86 has an end surface 86 l. Theend surface 86 l abuts to the end surface 91 b (FIG. 10 ) of thecoupling spring 91 in the assembled state.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the moving member 86 has a outer portion (freeend) 86 x and the shaft 86 s as the small diameter portion 86 y providedcloser to the drum cylinder 62 than the outer portion (free end) 86 x.Furthermore, the moving member 86 has an inner portion 86 z provided ata position closer to the drum cylinder 62 than the small diameterportion 86 y. The outer side (free end) 86 x of the moving member 86 isprovided with the projection 86 a, the base 86 b, the shaft 86 s, and aninclined portion 86 m. The diameter of the shaft 86 s as the smalldiameter portion 86 y is smaller than the diameter of the outer portion(free end) 86 x. In other words, the maximum rotation radius of thesmall diameter portion 86 y is smaller than the maximum rotation radiusof the outer portion (free end) 86 x. Here, the maximum rotation radiusis the maximum value of the distance from the rotation axis L2 of themoving member 86.

The outer side portion 86 x has a portion (inclined portion 86 m)gradually moving away from the axis L2 toward the free end of the movingmember 86 (FIG. 12 ). The maximum rotation radius of the inclinedportion 86 m gradually increases with distance from the drum cylinder.

Furthermore, the maximum rotation radius of the small diameter portion86 y is smaller than the distance between the driving force receivingportion 86 g and the rotation axis L2. The diameter of the shaft 86 d islarger than the diameter of the shaft 86 s. Outline distance from theaxis L2 of the large diameter portion 86 h of the approximately ovalcylinder 86 e is equal to or less than the outline distance of the outerportion from the axis L2 of the shaft 86 d. The outer diameter of thesmall diameter (oval) portion 86 p with respect to the axis L2 issmaller than the outer distance of the (oval) large diameter portion 86h with respect to the axis L2.

The moving member 86 has a through hole 86 c centered on the axis L2.

The moving member 86 has a through hole 86 c concentric with the axisL2.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a contact portion between the rotary cam92 and the linear motion cam 93. The part (a) of FIG. 14 and the part(b) of FIG. 14 show the same elements as viewed at different angles.

The cylindrical portion 92 c of the rotating cam 92 is accommodated inthe hole 93 c of the linear motion cam 93 and supported thereby. The endsurface 92 b of the rotating cam 92 includes the inclined surface 92 e,an end surface 92 g, and an end surface 92 h. The cam 93 d of the linearmotion cam 93 includes an inclined surface 93 k and an end surface 93 l.

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 6 , in a state that the moving member 86 isretracted toward the longitudinally inner side LI (non-driving side),the end surface 92 g of the rotating cam 92 is in contact with the endsurface 93 l of the linear motion cam 93.

As shown in part (b) of FIG. 6 , in the state of projecting toward thelongitudinally outer side LO (driving side) of the moving member 86, theend surface 92 h of the rotating cam 92 is in contact with the endsurface 93 l of the linear motion cam 93.

Here, in the process of moving the moving member 86 from the retractedstate (part (a) in FIG. 6 ) to the projecting state (part (b) in FIG. 6), the inclined surface 92 e of the rotating cam 92 and the slope 93 dof the linear motion cam 93 abut to each other.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the structure of the bearing 100 whichaccommodates the rotating cam 92. The part (a) of FIG. 15 and the part(b) of

FIG. 15 show the same element the as viewed at different angles.

The rotating cam 92 includes a cylindrical portion 92 c, an outercylindrical portion 92 i, an engaging portion 92 f, and an end surface92 b.

The rotating cam 92 includes the cylindrical portion 92 c, an outercylindrical portion 92 i, engaging portion 92 f, and end surface 92 b.The bearing 100 includes a sector-shaped hole 100 c for accommodatingthe cylindrical portion 92 c, a hole 100 d for accommodating the outercylindrical portion 92 i, a end surface 100 e abutting against the endsurface 92 b, and a slit 100 f accommodating the engaging portion 92 f.The rotating cam 92 is rotatably mounted to the bearing 100.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating the structure of the coupling unit U3 andthe bearing 100.

The coupling unit U3 includes a linear motion cam 93. The linear motioncam 93 includes the cam 93 d, the hole 93 e, and outer end surface 93 b.The bearing 100 includes a rib 100 f, a hole 100 g, and a end surface100 h. The rib 100 f of the bearing 100 is accommodated in the hole 93 eof the linear motion cam 93. By this, the linear motion cam 93 isconstituted so as to be slidable along the rotation axis L1 of the drumcylinder 62, while being regulated so as not to be rotatable relative tothe bearing 100. The cam 93 d of the linear motion cam 93 isaccommodated in the hole 100 g of the bearing 100. The outer end surface93 b of the linear motion cam 93 is constituted so as to be able to abutto the end surface 100 h of the bearing 100.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit U3. FIG. 18 is apartial enlarged view of FIG. 17 .

Part (a) of FIG. 17 and part (a) of FIG. 18 show a state in which themoving member 86 is retracted toward the longitudinally inner side LI.

The coupling shaft 90 is held by the fixing screw 96 with respect to thedriving side flange 87. The moving member 86 is supported so that it isrotatable around the axis L2, and is movable in the direction of theaxis L2 relative to the coupling shaft 90. The engaging portion 90 b 1of the coupling shaft 90 and the engaging portion 86 f of the movingmember 86 are not engaged with each other. Between the coupling shaft 90and the moving member 86, a coupling spring 91 as a second urging member(second elastic member) is provided. The coupling spring 91 functions tomove the moving member 86 relative to the coupling shaft 90 toward thelongitudinally inner side LI. The end surface 91 a of the couplingspring 91 abuts to the end surface 90 b 2 of the coupling shaft 90. Theend surface 91 b of the coupling spring 91 abuts to the end surface 86 lof the coupling 86 (part (a) in FIG. 18 ). The linear motion cam 93 isdisposed between the moving member 86 and the driving side flange 87.The pressing spring 95 for pressing the linear motion cam is disposedbetween the linear motion cam 93 and the driving side flange 87. Thepressing spring 95 functional such that the linear motion cam 93 ismoved relative to the driving side flange 87 toward the longitudinallyouter side LO. The pressure spring 95 is provided inside the drivingside flange 87. The rotating cam 92 restricts the movement of the linearmotion cam 93 toward the longitudinally outer side LO. The restrictingmember 101 restricts the movement of the rotating cam 92 toward thelongitudinally outer side LO. The restricting member 101 is fixed to thebearing 100. The bearing 100 rotatably supports the driving side flange87 and the rotating cam 92.

Part (a) of FIG. 17 shows the state in which the moving member 86 isretracted toward the longitudinally inner side LI. In this state, theurging force of the pressing spring 95 causes the linear motion cam 93to apply a force in the direction of the longitudinally outer side LO.By this, the cam 93 d of the linear motion cam 93 abuts on the endsurface 92 g of the rotating cam 92. By this, the rotary cam 92 receivesa force in the direction toward the longitudinally outer side LO by thelinear motion cam 93. And, the end surface 92 a of the rotating cam 92is restricted from moving to the longitudinally outer side LO by the endsurface 101 a of the restricting member 101. The coupling spring 91urges the moving member 86 toward the longitudinally inner side LI suchthat the end surface 86 n (of the longitudinal inner LI) of the movingmember 86 and the end surface 93 m of the linear motion cam 93 abut toeach other. At this time, the connection between the engaging portion 90b 1 as the driving force receiving portion of the coupling shaft 90 andthe engaging portion 86 f as the driving force transmitting portion ofthe moving member 86 is broken (disengaged state)). Therefore, at thistime, the rotational driving force of the moving member 86 cannot betransmitted to the coupling shaft 90. In other words, the moving member86 at this time is located at the (driving force) non-transmissionposition.

Part (b) of FIG. 17 and part (b) of FIG. 18 show a state in which themoving member 86 projects toward the longitudinally outer side LO.

By the second lever 103, the rotating cam 92 is rotated to apredetermined phase (parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 6 ). Then, from the statein which the end surface 93 l of the linear motion cam 93 abuts on theend surface 92 g of the rotation cam 92, the state changes such that itabuts to the end surface 92 h (also in FIG. 14 ). By this, the linearmotion cam 93 is moved to the longitudinally outer side LO by the urgingforce of the linear motion cam pressing spring 95. The end surface 93 mof the linear motion cam 93 pushes the end surface 86 n (of thelongitudinal inner LI) of the moving member 86. The urging force of thepressing spring 95 as the urging member (elastic member) is set to belarger than the urging force of the coupling spring 91 as the urgingmember (elastic member), and therefore, the moving member 86 moves tothe longitudinally outer side LO. At this time, the engaging portion 90b 1 as the driving force receiving portion of the coupling shaft 90 isengaged (connected) with engaging portion 86 f as the driving forcetransmitting portion of the moving member 86. As a result, therotational driving force of the moving member 86 can be transmitted tothe coupling shaft 90. In other words, the moving member 86 at this timeis located at the (driving force) transmitting position.

The free end portion 90 b of the coupling shaft 90 restricts themovement of the moving member 86 toward the longitudinally outer sideLO.

Next, the phase control mechanism of the moving member 86 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 19 .

Part (a) of FIG. 19 is a side view of the coupling unit U3. The part (b)of FIG. 19 and the part (c) of FIG. 19 are the B-B cross-sections of thepart (a) of FIG. 19 .

Part (b) of FIG. 19 shows a state of stopping at an arbitrary phaseafter completion of image formation.

Part (b) of FIG. 19 shows a state of stopping at an arbitrary phaseafter completion of image formation. The hole 94 a of the torsion spring94 is supported by the shaft 93 f of the linear motion cam 93. The arm94 c of the torsion spring 94 contacts the wall 93 h of the linearmotion cam 93. The arm 94 b of the torsion spring 94 contacts anapproximately oval cylinder 86 e of the moving member 86. In the stateof part (b) of FIG. 19 , the arm 94 b is in contact with theneighborhood of the (oval) large diameter portion 86 h of the cylinder86 e. Here, the torsion spring 94 is set to exert an urging force in adirection in which the space between the arm 94 b and the arm 94 cexpands. Therefore, by the urging force of the torsion spring 94, themoving member 86 receives the rotational force toward a phase in whichthe arm 94 b abuts to the neighborhood of the small diameter portion(elliptic) 86 p of the moving member 86. When the user opens the door 13of the apparatus main assembly A (part (a) in FIG. 8 ), by the urgingforce of the spring 106 provided to the second side member 26R, thesecond lever 103 and the rotating cam 92 are moved (part (a) in FIG. 6). When the user opens the door 13 of the apparatus main assembly A(part (a) in FIG. 8 ), the second lever 103 and the rotating cam 92 aremoved (part (a) in FIG. 6 ), by the urging force of the spring 106provided on the second side member 26R. As a result, the moving member86 is in the state in which the moving member 86 shown in part (a) ofFIG. 17 is retracted toward the longitudinally inner side (inside of thecartridge) LI. That is, the spring 106 urges the moving member 86 fromthe driving force transmitting position (part (b) in FIG. 17 ) to thedriving force non-transmitting position (part (a) in FIG. 17 ). At thistime, the engaging portion 90 b 1 as the driving force receiving portionof the coupling shaft 90 is in the non-engaging state with the engagingportion 86 f as the driving force transmitting portion of the movingmember 86, and therefore, the moving member 86 is rotated by the urgingforce of the torsion spring 94. The moving member 86 rotates until aphase is established in which the arm 94 b is brought into contact withthe neighborhood of the (elliptic) small diameter portion 86 p of themoving member 86, and the rotating moment received by the moving member86 is balanced, at a, it stops.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating the moving member 86 and the mainassembly driving shaft 110.

The cartridge B includes the moving member 86 and the coupling shaft 90.The apparatus main assembly A includes the driving shaft 110 and thebearing 111.

The driving shaft 110 includes a shaft portion 110 a, a driveapplication portion 110 b, a free end portion 110 c, and a free endsurface 110 d. The bearing 111 supports the shaft portion 110 a.

The moving member 86 is provided with a projection 86 a. The couplingshaft 90 has a free end portion 90 b. The coupling shaft 90 has a freeend portion 90 b.

With the free end portion 90 b of the coupling shaft 90 being in contactwith or close to the free end surface 110 d of the driving shaft 110,the drive application portion 110 b of the driving shaft 110 abuts tothe drive force receiving portion of the projection 86 a of the movingmember 86. By this, the moving member 86 receives the rotational drivingforce from the driving shaft 110.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating the positional relationship between themoving member 86 and the driving shaft 110 when the cartridge B isremoved from the apparatus main assembly A.

From the state shown in part (a) of FIG. 21 to the state shown in part(c) of FIG. 21 , the cartridge B is being dismounted. Part (d) of FIG.21 to the part (f) of FIG. 21 are cross-sectional views, correspondingto the part (a) of FIG. 21 to the part (c) of Figure. Part (d) of FIG.21 to part (f) of FIG. 21 are cross-sectional views, corresponding tothe part (a) of FIG. 21 to the part (c) of FIG. 21 . The direction ofdismounting of the cartridge B is indicated by an arrow E.

Part (a) of FIG. 21 and part (d) of FIG. 21 are illustrations showing astate at the end of image forming operation. The driving shaft 110 andthe moving member 86 stop at any arbitrary phase. At this time, sincethe opening/closing door 13 of the apparatus main assembly A is closed,the moving member 86 is a position projecting to the longitudinallyouter side (outside of the cartridge) LO. The drive application portion110 b of the driving shaft 110 is in contact with the projection 86 a ofthe moving member 86.

Part (b) of FIG. 21 and part (e) of FIG. 21 are illustrations showing astate in which the opening/closing door 13 of the apparatus mainassembly A is opened. By opening the opening/closing door 13, asdescribed above, the moving member 86 moves to the longitudinally innerside LI. By this, from a state in which the drive application portion110 b of the driving shaft 110 and the projection 86 a of the movingmember 86 are not in contact with each other, they become in a state ofbeing slightly touched with each other.

With the moving member 86 moved to the longitudinally inner LI, thephase control mechanism of the moving member 86 described in FIG. 19operates. Therefore, the projection 86 a of the moving member 86 rotatesto the phase shown in part (e) of FIG. 21 , that is, the phase in whichthe movement is not prevented by the free end portion 110 c of thedriving shaft 110 when the projection 86 a is moved in the separatingdirection E.

Part (c) of FIG. 21 and part (f) of FIG. 21 show a state in which thecartridge B is being dismounted from the apparatus main assembly A. Theprojection 86 a of the moving member 86 moves in the separatingdirection E without being hindered by the free end portion 110 c of thedriving shaft 110.

This movement is allowed even if the projection 86 a abuts to the freeend portion 110 c, provided that the free end portion 110 c is notprevented from moving in the dismounting direction E.

On the way of removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main assemblyA, the free end portion 110 c and the free end surface 110 d (FIG. 20 )of the driving shaft 110 abut to the inner surface 86 q and the endsurface 86 r (part (a) in FIG. 17 , FIG. 20 ) of the base 86 b of themoving member 86. Along with this movement, the moving member 86 furthermoves to the longitudinally inner LI. Finally, the dismounting of thecartridge B from the apparatus main assembly A is completed.

As the above-mentioned coupling unit U and the structure relevantthereto are summarized as follows.

The driving force (rotational force) received by the moving member(moving coupling member) 86 from the outside of the cartridge istransmitted to the driving side flange 87 by way of the coupling shaft90 (part (b) of FIG. 17 ). When the moving member 86 and the couplingshaft 90 transmit the driving force to the driving side flange 87, themoving member 86 and the coupling shaft 90 are engaged with each otherand integrally rotate. The moving member (moving coupling member) 86 andthe coupling shaft 90 are collectively referred to as a coupling member.

The coupling member (86, 90) is a member coupled (coupling) with thedriving shaft 110 of the image forming apparatus main assembly, and alsoa member for receiving the driving force (rotational force) from thedriving shaft 110 (part (a) in FIG. 21 ) outside the cartridge. Thedriving force received by the coupling member is transmitted to the drumcylinder 62 by way of the driving side flange 87. The drum cylinder 62is rotatably supported by the frame of cartridge B, and therefore, whenthe driving force is transmitted, the drum cylinder 62 rotates withrespect to the frame.

When the driving force is transmitted to the drum cylinder 62, theprojection (driving force receiving portion) 86 a provided on the movingmember 86 first receives the driving force from the drive applyingportion 110 b of the driving shaft 110 (part (a) in FIG. 21 ). Thedriving force is transmitted from the engaging portion 86 f (part (a) inFIG. 11 ) provided on the moving member 86 to the free end portion 90 b(engaging portion 90 b 1) of the coupling shaft 90. And, the drivingforce is transmitted from the coupling shaft 90 to the driving sideflange 87 by the way of the fixing screw 96 (FIG. 9 ) fixing thecoupling shaft 90 to the driving side flange member 87. The driving sideflange 87 is connected to the end of the drum cylinder 62, it transmitsthe driving force to the drum cylinder 62 (FIG. 3 ). The driving sideflange 87 is connected to the end of the drum cylinder 62, and ittransmits the driving force to the drum cylinder 62 (FIG. 3 ).

Here, the flange (driving side flange member 87) provided with thecoupling members (86, 90) includes the gear portion 87 b (part (a) inFIG. 9 ). The driving side flange member 87 is a gear member.

At least a portion of the coupling member is movable at least in thedirection of the axis L2 of the coupling member. That is, in thisembodiment, the moving member 86 of the coupling member moves along theaxis L2 relative to the driving side flange 87 between the driving forcetransmitting position (projected position, advanced position) and thenon-driving-force-transmitting position (retracted position) (parts (b)and (a) of FIG. 17 ). The driving force transmission position (part (b)in FIG. 17 ) is a position projecting toward the outside of thecartridge, away from the drum cylinder 62. On the other hand, thenon-driving-force-transmitting position (retracted position) is theretracted position, toward the inside of the drum cylinder 62 (theinside of the cartridge). When the moving member 86 is in the drivingforce transmitting position (part (b) in FIG. 17 ), the free end of themoving member 86 is more away from the drum cylinder in the direction ofthe axis L2 than when in the driving force non-transmission position(part (a) of FIG. 17 ).

Here, in a narrow sense, the coupling member may mean only the movingmember 86 provided with the driving force receiving portion (projection86 a).

On the other hand, the coupling shaft 90 is fixed to the driving sideflange 87. The coupling shaft 90 can also be called a fixed member(fixed coupling member) in the coupling member. Here, it is alsopossible to take such a structure that when the coupling shaft 90 isfixed to the driving side flange 87, the coupling shaft 90 slightlymoves relative to the driving side flange 87. For example, there may bea slight gap between the coupling shaft 90 and the drive flange 87 sothat the coupling shaft 90 can move relative to the drive flange 87within the range of the gap. Even in such a case, if the distance bywhich the coupling shaft 90 can move with respect to the driving sideflange 87 is within a certain range, and if the driving force can betransmitted from the coupling shaft 90 to the driving side flange 87,there is no problem. In this embodiment, the coupling shaft 90 does notmove in the direction of the axis L2 with respect to the driving sideflange 87, and does not rotate about the axis L2, either.

In addition, the coupling shaft 90 may be referred to as a connectingmember which is connected to the driving side flange member 87 such thatthe driving force from the coupling member can be transmitted to thedriving side flange member 87. In addition, the coupling shaft 90 is ashaft provided on the driving side flange 87, and can also be called asupport member for movably supporting the moving member 86.

The coupling shaft 90 is also a relay member (intermediate transmissionmember) for relaying the driving force received by the moving member 86to the driving side flange 87, the coupling shaft 90 being providedbetween the moving member 86 and the driving side flange 87. Inaddition, the coupling shaft 90 is also a retaining member forpreventing the moving member 86 from disengaging out of the driving sideflange 87. The movable range of the moving member 86 is suppressed bythe coupling shaft 90 in a predetermined range. That is, when the movingmember 86 is located at the projecting position (advanced position), themovement of the moving member 86 is restricted by the free end portion90 b of the coupling shaft 90, and further movement of the moving member86 in the axial direction LI is suppressed (Part (b) of FIG. 17 ). Bythis, it is suppressed for the moving member 86 in the projectingposition to be separated from the drive flange member 87.

In addition, the coupling shaft 90 includes the shaft portion 90 aextending along the moving direction of the moving member 86. Thecoupling shaft 90 is a guide member which guides the movement of themoving member 86 by the shaft portion (guide portion) 90 a. The couplingshaft 90 is a shaft (shaft member, column member, shaft) the majorportion of which (that is, the shaft portion 90 a) has a shaft shape(column shape). The shaft portion 90 a is a penetrating portion whichpasses (penetrates) at least the inside of the moving member 86.

A part on the free end side of the coupling shaft 90 (i.e. the free endportion 90 b) is an exposed portion exposed to the outside of the movingmember 86. The free end portion 90 b has a maximum rotation radiuslarger than the maximum rotation radius of the shaft portion 90 a. Thatis, the free end portion 90 b is a portion (expanded portion, enlargedportion, expanded portion) radially expanded (expanded portion) from theshaft portion 90 a, and the diameter of the free end portion 90 b islarger than the diameter of the shaft portion 90 b. That is, the freeend portion 90 b is a portion (expanded portion, enlarged portion,expanded portion) radially expanded (expanded portion) from the shaftportion 90 a, and the diameter of the free end portion 90 b is largerthan the diameter of the shaft portion 90 b. In addition, the diameterof the free end portion 90 b is larger than the diameter of the throughhole 86 c (parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 11 ) of the moving member 86. Inother words, the maximum rotation radius of the free end portion 90 b islarger than the maximum rotation radius of the shaft 90 b and themaximum rotation radius of the through hole.

In this embodiment, the free end portion 90 b has a circular flat plateshape (disk shape), but it is not necessarily limited to such a shape.In addition, the maximum rotation radius of the free end portion 90 b islarger than the maximum rotation radius of the small diameter portion 86y (part (b) of FIG. 12 ).

In addition, the free end portion 90 b is provided with a driving forcereceiving portion (engaging portion 90 b 1) for receiving a drivingforce from the moving member 86 as shown in part (b) of FIG. 17 and FIG.10 . That is, the structure is such that the free end portion 90 b(engaging portion 90 b 1) can receive driving force from the movingmember 86 by engaging with the moving member 86. Here, the structure issuch that one or both of the free end 86 x and the small diameterportion 86 y of the moving member 86 engage with the free end portion 90b (part (b) of FIG. 12 ). In this embodiment, the free end 86 x isprovided with the engaging portion 86 f for engaging with the free endportion 90 b (engaging portion 90 b 1).

The engaging portion 90 b 1 (FIG. 10 , part (b) in FIG. 9 ) ispositioned outside the shaft portion 90 b and the through hole 86 c inthe radial direction of the coupling member. That is, the free endportion 90 b engages with the moving member 86 at a position outside theshaft 90 b in the radial direction of the coupling member.

The free end portion 90 b receives the driving force from the movingmember 86 while suppressing the moving member 86 from disengaging out ofthe driving side flange member. That is, the free end portion 90 b canperform both the function of restricting the movement of the movingmember 86 and the function of receiving the driving force, andtherefore, the structure of the coupling member can be simplified.

The moving member 86 of the coupling member moves from the retractedposition (part (a) in FIG. 17 ) to the advanced position (part (a) inFIG. 17 ) by mounting the cartridge B into the apparatus main assembly A(FIG. 1 ). After the cartridge B is inserted into the mounting mainassembly A, when the opening/closing door 13 (part (b) in FIG. 8 ) isclosed, the mounting of the cartridge B to the apparatus main assembly Ais completed. When the lever 102 (part (a) in FIG. 5 , part (b) in FIG.8 ) is pushed by the opening/closing door 13, the moving member 86 movesto the advanced position (part (a) in FIG. 17 ). On the contrary, whenthe opening/closing door 13 is opened (part (a) in FIG. 8 ), the movingmember 86 moves to the retracted position (part (a) in FIG. 17 ). Thatis, the moving member 86 moves in accordance with the opening closingoperation (parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 8 ) of the opening/closing door 13provided in the apparatus main assembly A.

Next, the urging force of each spring usable with this embodiment willbe described once again.

As shown in FIG. 17 , in the coupling unit U3, the moving member 86 andthe linear motion cam 93 are sandwiched between the driving side flange87 and the coupling shaft 90. The urging force of the spring 95 as theurging member for urging the moving member 86 and the linear motion cam93 toward the longitudinally outer side LO is depicted by F1. The urgingforce of the coupling spring 91 as the urging member for urging themoving member 86 and the linear motion cam 93 toward the longitudinallyinner side LI is F2. At this time, f1>F2 (F1 is greater than F2).

In addition, a spring 106 as the urging member shown in part (b) of FIG.5 functions to move the second lever 103 to the cleaning unit (60) side.By this, the rotating cam 92 overcomes the force which prevents therotational movement of the rotating cam 92 caused by the urging forcesF1 and F2, so that it rotates to the position of the non-engaged stateshown in part (a) of FIG. 6 and part (a) of FIG. 17 . In other words,the force for rotating the rotating cam 92 produced by the urging forceof the spring 106 is set to be larger than the force which prevents therotational movement of the rotating cam 92 which is produced by theurging force F1 by the urging member and the urging force F2 by theurging member.

In this state, by utilizing the urging force of the spring 106 (part (a)of FIG. 6 ), the rotating cam 92 compresses the urging member (spring95) to retract the linear motion cam 93 toward the longitudinally innerside LO. With the retraction of the linear motion cam 93, the movingmember 86 is also moved to the longitudinally inner side LO using theurging force of the spring 91. As a result, in the state where noexternal force is applied to the first lever 102 of the cartridge B, themoving member 86 retracts toward the longitudinally inner side LI itbecomes a state. As a result, in the state where no external force isapplied to the first lever 102 of the cartridge B, the moving member 86retracts toward the longitudinally inner side LI. That is, the movingmember 86 at this time is located at the driving force non-transmissionposition.

On the other hand, when a external force exceeding the elastic force ofthe spring 106 is applied to the first lever 102 of the cartridge B, thefirst lever 102 and the second lever 103 move while contracting thespring 106 (part (b) in FIG. 6 ). When the rotating cam 92 rotates ininterrelation with the movement of the levers 102 and 103, as shown inpart (b) of FIG. 17 , the linear motion cam 93 is allowed to move in thelongitudinal outer LO direction. At this time, the urging force F1applied to the linear motion cam 93 overcomes the urging force F2applied to the linear motion cam 93, and therefore, the force of theurging force F1 moves the linear motion cam 92 to the longitudinallyouter side LO. The moving member 86 is also pushed forward by the linearmotion cam 92 to advance toward the longitudinally outer side LO. Thatis, the moving portion seat 86 is urged by the spring 95 by way of thelinear motion cam 92 to move to the drive transmission position(projected position, advanced position).

Here, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 17 , the coupling spring 91continues to urge the moving member 86 in the direction (longitudinallyinner side LI direction) in which the coupling spring 91 approaches tothe linear motion cam 93. Therefore, the coupling spring 91 does notseparate from the linear motion cam 93 even when the linear motion cam93 moves to the longitudinally inner side LI. That is, the moving member86 can be interlocked with the movement of the linear motion cam 93 bythe urging force F2 of the coupling spring 91 which is an urging member.The coupling spring 91 is a holding member (a holding member, a elasticmember, a urging member) for holding (maintaining) a state where themoving member 86 interlocks with the linear motion cam 93 by its elasticforce (urging force).

The linear motion cam 93 is a support member which supports the movingmember 86, and is also a interlocking member which moves with the movingmember 86 by moving itself.

Here, the lever 102 is a operation member operated from the outside ofthe cartridge (in this embodiment, the opening/closing door 13: part (a)in FIG. 4 ) to move the coupling member (moving member 86). The firstlever 102 is operatively (functionally) connected to the moving member86. That is, the first lever 102 is connected to the moving member 86through the connecting mechanism including the gear 104, the secondlever 103, the cam mechanism (linear motion cam 93, rotation cam 93),each spring, and so on. And, the structure is such that the movementmember 86 also moves (moves, operates) by the movement (movement,actuation) of the first lever 102. In the axial direction, the lever102, the lever 103, the coupling member (moving member 86 or thecoupling shaft 90) are disposed on the same side (i.e. the driving side)of the cartridge B.

With the above structure, it is possible to reliably engage anddisengage the moving member 86 relative to the main assembly shaft 110.

As has been described in the foregoing, the present invention has madeit possible to develop the prior art.

According to the present invention, there is provided a processcartridge and a drum unit capable of receiving a driving force from anapparatus main assembly, and a image forming apparatus including theprocess cartridge.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

U3 Coupling unit.

86 Coupling.

90 Coupling shaft.

91 Coupling spring.

92 Rotating cam.

93 Linear motion cam.

94 Torsion Spring.

95 Linear motion cam pressure spring.

100 Bearing.

101 Regulating member.

102 First lever.

103 Second lever.

104 Gear.

105 Cover.

106 Spring.

1-163. (canceled)
 164. A cartridge comprising: a rotatable memberrotatable while carrying toner on a surface of the rotatable member; aframe rotatably supporting the rotatable member; and a gear memberincluding a gear portion on an outer peripheral surface of the gearmember, a rotational axis, and a first engaging portion that includes afirst projection projecting in a direction of the rotational axis of thegear member, the gear member being configured to transmit a drivingforce to the rotatable member; and a coupling member provided with adriving force receiving portion that is configured to receive thedriving force and a second engaging portion that is engageable with thefirst engaging portion, the second engaging portion having a secondprojection projecting in the direction of the rotational axis of thegear member, the coupling member being movable relative to the gearmember in the direction of the rotational axis of the gear memberbetween (a) a first position and (b) a second position retracted fromthe first position toward an inside of the cartridge, and at least apart of the coupling member being accommodated by the gear member,wherein the first engaging portion is not engaged with the secondengaging portion when the coupling member is in the second position, andthe first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portionand the gear member receives the driving force from the coupling memberwhen the coupling member is in the first position.
 165. A cartridgeaccording to claim 164, wherein the first engaging portion includes aplurality of the first projections positioned around the rotational axisof the gear member and the second engaging portion includes a pluralityof the second projections positioned around the rotational axis of thegear member.
 166. A cartridge according to claim 164, wherein thecoupling unit includes a spring urging the coupling member toward thesecond position.
 167. A cartridge according to claim 166, wherein thespring is provided between the coupling member and the gear member. 168.A cartridge according to claim 167, wherein at least a part of thespring is accommodated in the gear member.
 169. A cartridge according toclaim 164, wherein the coupling member includes (i) a free end portionprovided with the driving force receiving portion and (ii) a smalldiameter portion having a maximum radius of rotation that is smallerthan a maximum radius of rotation of the free end portion, at least apart of the small diameter portion being accommodated by the gear member170. A cartridge according to claim 169, wherein the free end portionhas a portion having a maximum radius of rotation that graduallyincreases in a direction moving away from the gear member.
 171. Acartridge according to claim 169, wherein the maximum radius of rotationof the small diameter portion is less than a distance between arotational axis of the coupling member and the driving force receivingportion.
 172. A cartridge according to claim 164, further comprising anoperating member that is operable to move the coupling member betweenthe second position and the first position.
 173. A cartridge accordingto claim 172, wherein the operating member is operable to move thecoupling member toward the first position by receiving an externalforce.
 174. A cartridge according to claim 172, wherein the operatingmember includes a lever.
 175. A cartridge according to claim 172,wherein the coupling member and the operating member are positioned onthe same side of the cartridge with respect to the direction of therotational axis of the rotatable member.
 176. A cartridge according toclaim 172, further comprising an urging member configured to urge theoperating member.
 177. A cartridge according to claim 176, wherein theurging member is provided with an elastic member.
 178. A cartridgeaccording to claim 164, wherein the frame accommodates toner therein.179. A cartridge according to claim 168, wherein at least a part of thecoupling member is surrounded by the spring.
 180. A cartridge accordingto claim 164, wherein the rotatable member is a photosensitive drum.